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San Diego – Two new murals along the Trolley's UC San Diego Blue Line were unveiled today by the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) as a part of the agency's efforts to "color the corridor" in and around transit centers. MTS, in collaboration with Caltrans and local artists, unveiled the community-focused murals at the E Street Transit Center in Chula Vista. The murals are part of a larger effort by MTS to provide a better, more inviting experience for passengers using the transit system.
"Over the past few years, we've worked to make the transit system better when it comes to amenities such more shade, lighting, and safety measures," said Steve Goble, MTS Board Vice Chair and El Cajon City Councilmember. "Better amenities also include public art. To that end, we've been partnering with local artists to install colorful murals across our Trolley network that represent the communities our transit centers serve. Our goal with these murals is to make our transit stations more inviting to riders through art that is culturally relevant and speaks to the communities we serve."
In efforts to provide a more inviting experience on the transit system, MTS approached local muralist Michelle Guerrero, professionally known as Mr. B Baby, and the Rainforest Art Project, a collective of professional artists and educators. The artists proposed artworks that are reflective of the community.
"These murals are an effort to enrich the riding experience for Trolley passengers and beautify the South Bay at the same time," said John McCann, MTS Board Member and Mayor of Chula Vista. "MTS is very appreciative for the partnership with Caltrans for providing the grant funding to make it happen. We look forward to thousands of riders enjoying these murals everyday as part of a better transit experience."
In 2023, Caltrans awarded MTS a $1 million grant out of the Clean California Local Grant Program. MTS used the grant funding to commission the two murals. The agency also used the funding to ramp up its cleaning program at transit centers with 96 new trash receptacles that help keep the system clean. Clean California grants funds to local communities to beautify and improve streets, roads, tribal lands, parks, pathways and transit centers.
"Caltrans was excited to partner with MTS to award the $1 million Clean California grant that funded the artwork and transit center improvements we are highlighting today," said Ann Fox, Caltrans District 11 Director. "The artwork we are unveiling not only adds beauty to the transit center but tells the cultural history of Chula Vista."
The first mural, titled "Tracks of Time," was created by Mr. B Baby and features Mexican rag doll characters and picturesque landscapes that tell a story of our city's history, heritage, connection and resilience. The mural depicts a timeline that captures the transformation of Chula Vista, from the city's first inhabitants, the Kumeyaay people, to the present-day diversity found across the city.
"The new mural for MTS titled ‘Tracks of Time' is a timeline that captures the transformation of Chula Vista, it includes imagery that represents the diverse community and the stories that have shaped Chula Vista into the dynamic city it is today," said Michelle Guerrero, muralist known as Mr. B Baby. "Through this mural, I aim to honor the cultural significance of Chula Vista, highlighting the importance of representation and the strength that comes from our diverse backgrounds. It's an opportunity to celebrate our shared heritage and inspire pride among residents, reminding us of all the vibrant and inclusive future we are building together."
The second installation, titled "Treasures of the Bay," is a glass mosaic created by the Rainforest Art Project. The mosaic focuses on sea life that inhabits our beautiful bay and marshes and is in part as a homage to the nearby Living Coast Discovery Center. The mural creates a tribute to the people who were living in this area for thousands of years, and to provide inspiration to the ones living here today, and those coming tomorrow.
"Inspired by nature, this project merges cutting-edge technology with traditional mosaic techniques to honor the past and inspire future generations," said Maria Titova, Executive Director of Rainforest Art Project. "The design brings the vibrant colors and rich ecosystem of the South Bay into everyday life, guiding travelers with a flowing mural that mirrors ocean waves and invites connection to the bay. Featuring 15 mosaic panels of native wildlife, rust-patina steel reminiscent of Kumeyaay ceramics, and basket-weaving-inspired insets, the artwork tells a unified story through bold colors and clear patterns, ensuring its beauty and message remain impactful even at high speeds."
MTS has also partnered with muralist Maxx Moses on the highly successful "Color the Corridor" beautification project. The community artist previously completed works of art at Trolley stations in Grossmont, Massachusetts Avenue, 62nd Street, 47th Street, Euclid Avenue, and the 67th Street pedestrian crossing. MTS also announced one more mural in the works with other artists along the UC San Diego Blue Line at the Beyer Blvd. Trolley Station, to be completed in 2026.
About MTS
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates 92 bus routes and four Trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. MTS is a leader in advancing initiatives to create a greener, cleaner and better-connected transit system in San Diego. Each weekday more than 238,000 passenger trips are taken throughout the MTS system taking people to work, school, health appointments and other essential trips. In FY 2024, MTS served more than 75 million riders. For service schedule updates, news, alerts and more information on how you can use public transportation, go to www.sdmts.com.
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